To be or not to be - vaccinated
By Judy Evans
@JudyEv (325720)
Rockingham, Australia
February 10, 2022 1:12am CST
To be or not to be – vaccinated against COVID-19. That is the question. It is a hotly debated topic here as I know it is in many places.
Living near good friends, our circle of acquaintances is slowly growing and we have got to know some of our friends’ friends quite well.
Two of these, a mother and her daughter, both work in the medical profession and were very much against vaccinations, which we found to believe. There was no way they were going to be vaccinated. However, they are also fanatical supporters of the Eagles Australian Rules football team. When they discovered they would not be allowed into the venues to watch their beloved team play, they decided that perhaps they would be vaccinated after all. Now, they are very pro-vaccination which makes us laugh.
There is nothing wrong at all with changing your mind or your opinions but I guess I’m thinking that sometimes people don’t really have very strong convictions. It depends on what else is going on as to what they believe.
Photo of some of our adopted grandchildren playing football. They’re not really adopted or our grandchildren but we don’t have any grandchildren of our own so we’re ‘adopted’ these.
23 people like this
20 responses
@jkct02 (2874)
• Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia
10 Feb 22
I am not an medical expert in the COVID-19 pandemic which has claimed many casualties all over the world. It is a fact that the vaccines available are not accorded enough length of time to be tested thoroughly due to the emergency condition where many lives lost. I can only trust the medical authority of my country and follow their instructions on the ways to counter the virus and protect ourselves. So we took the vaccines. So far we are fine although there were reports about deadly side effects on some people.
@jkct02 (2874)
• Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia
12 Feb 22
countries with high vaccinated rates plus mask wearing and practising social distancing tend to have fewer cases and most importantly, fewer deaths.
i am not an expert. i just do according to what our government health authority recommends.
1 person likes this
@Juliaacv (48415)
• Canada
10 Feb 22
I try to keep my thoughts to myself because inevitably, someone within ear shot will disagree and claim to know so much more and then the heated debate starts.
Here, it is a private decision, and we are among friends, so when someone is strongly one way or the other for or against it, you have the option of just moving along and read another post.
I am vaccinated, for the purposes that served me and my family. Everyone has to come to that on their own terms, and then try not to preach one way or the other about it.
Covid is a part of our lives, we need to realize this and as so many other things, not so pleasant, we need to get along and live our lives. The protests and the outlashes that have come about over the course of these past 2 years is just confusion and pent up frustration for the most part I believe.
2 people like this
@JudyEv (325720)
• Rockingham, Australia
10 Feb 22
I don't usually write about it or comment on covid posts. My title is deceiving really but was meant to entice readers. 
I really just wanted to share about the two who wouldn't have a bar of vaccinations until it meant they couldn't go to the footie then they suddenly changed their tune. I doubt I'll write about it again. 
I hope you have a great day.
I really just wanted to share about the two who wouldn't have a bar of vaccinations until it meant they couldn't go to the footie then they suddenly changed their tune. I doubt I'll write about it again. I hope you have a great day.1 person likes this
@Juliaacv (48415)
• Canada
10 Feb 22
@JudyEv I realized that as I read.
Here it doesn't seem like there are only 1 or 2 who are voice their opinions against the vaccines, there is a huge and ugly protest happening here this past week. It has divided our country, which is sad. I totally agree in expressing one's own opinion, but not protesting another's opinion, and that is what I am trying to say that upsets me and makes me sad.
1 person likes this
@Fleura (29127)
• United Kingdom
10 Feb 22
I understand that some people are not keen to have the vaccine because they are worried about unknown side-effects. But if they change their minds just because of a football game I can't help feeling they were not really that convinced in the first pace.
2 people like this
@rsa101 (37952)
• Philippines
10 Feb 22
I respect your decision if you do not believe in vaccines. For me, it is a one-way ticket to a faster recovery against the virus the lesser the virus can transfer to a fresh unvaccinated body the weaker they become. But if there are more unvaccinated people the more chances for the virus to mutate into a much deadlier variant since they can freely exploit bodies that are not vaccinated. We can recover from this pandemic without vaccines but I think it would take time for us to recover and I guess there would be more casualties until the virus will stop at some point the same thing that happened during the Spanish flu pandemic. The only difference back then was that travel was not as fast as it is today that is why the spread was not that strong back then.
1 person likes this
@rsa101 (37952)
• Philippines
11 Feb 22
@JudyEv Oh sorry I misread your stand on vaccines. But I think that though there are fewer studies made about the vaccines and was prepared hurriedly I think the way the vaccines have reacted against the spread is really good for now. Although the new variants coming are highly infectious but they could not harm their victims the way they infected those that are unvaccinated.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (325720)
• Rockingham, Australia
10 Feb 22
I didn't make myself very clear. I am totally in favour of being vaccinated and have had two plus the booster. I was really just having a bit of a joke about two people who firstly wouldn't be vaccinated but, when they discovered they'd be banned from watching the football, had a complete turnaround. I agree with all you've said.
1 person likes this
@RebeccasFarm (86757)
• United States
10 Feb 22
They are lovely your adopted grandchildren there. Running free
1 person likes this
@RebeccasFarm (86757)
• United States
10 Feb 22
@JudyEv Now that is a great photo Judy, did you take it?
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (325720)
• Rockingham, Australia
10 Feb 22
@RebeccasFarm This is one of Vince's. She is now a young lady. 
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (458006)
• Switzerland
10 Feb 22
I am glad that here they have not obliged people to be vaccinated. My husband cannot be vaccinated, so I also am always very careful to avoid to bring the virus at home. I have known fully vaccinated people who had Covid they were very sick and it took weeks to get well. I know people non vaccinated who had Covid and it was like a cold. I think that a lot depends on our immune system.
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (458006)
• Switzerland
17 Feb 22
@TheSojourner - I could be vaccinated, he could not. For this reason I have always been more than careful to avoid to get contaminated and contaminate him.
I wear the mask everywhere I go. We never went to a cafe or to a restaurant since the pandemic started. From tomorrow many restrictions will be lifted here. People will be free to eat inside a restaurant even if they have not been vaccinated. Well, we will continue NOT to go, because the number of cases is still too high to feel safe.
I know that opening everything is a political decision, because people are tired of restrictions. If things go very bad soon, they could tell people that they tried and did not work.
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (458006)
• Switzerland
18 Feb 22
@TheSojourner - The percentage of vaccinated people in Switzerland is 70.6%, with a higher percentage here in the south of Switzerland, the 76% of people are fully vaccinated here in the south.
Many vaccinated thought that the vaccine totally protected them and they are now hospitalized with Covid. They will not die, but I hope they will learn a lesson. The vaccination protects against severe disease, but we can still get sick.
1 person likes this
@wolfgirl569 (95136)
• Marion, Ohio
10 Feb 22
I know some people were scared of it at first as it was made fairly fast compared to others. But those in the medical field really surprise me by not wanting it
1 person likes this
@wolfgirl569 (95136)
• Marion, Ohio
11 Feb 22
@JudyEv We even had a guy here try to prove in court that he was a magnate after getting it. The only place he could keep a spoon on his body was his nose. I can do that and many people can 
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (325720)
• Rockingham, Australia
12 Feb 22
@wolfgirl569 That sounds very bizarrre. 
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40054)
• Laguna Woods, California
16 Feb 22
@JudyEv - I believe that vaccination against communicable diseases is more than a personal choice ... it is an act that shows you are a thoughtful, considerate, polite and patriotic person. Some people cannot be vaccinated, because of other illnesses they have. Some people remain vulnerable to communicable diseases, even if they have been vaccinated. Some children cannot be vaccinated because they are too young.
People who are able to be vaccinated, and choose not to be, show that they not only do not care about taking care of their own bodies, but they do not care about the health and well-being of babies, the elderly, and the vulnerable. Their actions show they just do not care about anyone.
I feel this way about all available vaccines for communicable diseases ... mumps, measles, smallpox, polio, and Covid.
We have a son-in-law who is a respected scientist. He and our daughter and their children were among the first members of our family to be vaccinated against Covid. I trust his judgement in matters like this.
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40054)
• Laguna Woods, California
17 Feb 22
@JudyEv - I understand that none of us like to be told what we must do. Most of us rebel to some extent against rules and regulations. I get that. However, we also have to accept that we have responsibilities to other people, and society as a whole.
For example, there is a big difference between running a red light in an isolated area in the middle of the night, compared with running a red light in a high traffic area with other cars and families around. Not getting vaccinated, and exposing other people to your bad choices, is like running a red light in a high traffic area. You can endanger a lot of people with your reckless behavior.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (325720)
• Rockingham, Australia
17 Feb 22
I agree and you have put it into words very well. It's what I think but I've had trouble actually verbalising it. You've cleared it up for me so thank you for that. I have been surprised at how many nursing and medical people have been against immunisation although I think many have been more against the mandate than the actual immunisation.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (325720)
• Rockingham, Australia
17 Feb 22
@DeborahDiane We go along with so many other rules and regulations but over time we forget about them. What about all the rules for driving? We obey parking signs - mostly, , visiting time regulations in hospitals, all sorts of things and I don't see this as all that much different. Just something that needs to be done to keep the majority of the population as safe as possible.
, visiting time regulations in hospitals, all sorts of things and I don't see this as all that much different. Just something that needs to be done to keep the majority of the population as safe as possible.1 person likes this
@JudyEv (325720)
• Rockingham, Australia
14 Feb 22
Sorry - I'm not sure what you mean. Fans of what?
@JudyEv (325720)
• Rockingham, Australia
15 Feb 22
@thedevilinme Oh of course! Sorry. These two have all the Eagles gear as have our friends who live just up the road.
@thedevilinme (3904)
• Northampton, England
14 Feb 22
@JudyEv WESTERN EACGLESSSSS!
1 person likes this
@SophiaMorros (5046)
• Belews Creek, North Carolina
10 Feb 22
I have not been vaccinated, but I also work from home and don't go out much. I have taken a cautious, wait-and-see approach to the vaccine. Ultimately I would prefer to skip it entirely and depend on natural immunity (I have had covid...I got it from one of my vaccinated children who likely got it from another of my children, also vaccinated, both of whom tested negative). However, if I want to travel the vaccine will be required. I do not feel strongly enough about the vaccine to allow it to cut me off from my family at this point.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (325720)
• Rockingham, Australia
11 Feb 22
Fair enough. We all have to make our own decisions. We are vaccinated as we're 'at risk' because of our age and Vince especially so because of (minor) heart and BP conditions, and diabetes. It's good that you don't go out too much and if you've had it once, hopefully you're developing an immunity to it.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (325720)
• Rockingham, Australia
13 Feb 22
@SophiaMorros So far, I don't know anyone but I'm sure it won't be long.
1 person likes this
@SophiaMorros (5046)
• Belews Creek, North Carolina
13 Feb 22
@JudyEv I know a lot of folks, vaccinated and not, who have had Covid. And quite a few who have now had it twice.
1 person likes this
@BarBaraPrz (45484)
• St. Catharines, Ontario
10 Feb 22
The only reason I got vaccinated is so that I could attend the Centre (Westview Centre4Women) that I have mentioned before. It was mandated by Health Canada because the Centre serves food.
1 person likes this
@kixsh101 (2103)
• Philippines
14 Feb 22
My family are fully vaccinated, my co workers are vaccinated too. We contracted COVID eventhough we are vaccinated which is true to the promise of the vaccine that we will not be spared from getting infected but ones we are infected there will be lesser or no symptoms at all.
I am a believer the vaccine because of this.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (325720)
• Rockingham, Australia
18 Feb 22
I'm glad you've been vaccinated. As you say, if you get the disease hopefully the symptoms will be less severe. You are also helping keep those around you safe.
@cacay1 (83223)
• Cagayan De Oro, Philippines
11 Feb 22
You adopted cute kids. May they grow great. Sometimes strong force drives one to get vaccinated like me, I decided to get vaccinated when the university president mandated teaching and non teaching personnel to get vaccinated or else no bonuses and no work
1 person likes this
@cacay1 (83223)
• Cagayan De Oro, Philippines
18 Feb 22
@JudyEv , the husband of my niece was covid positive but he had not experienced symptoms because he got 3 vaccination and one booster, a pre requisite in Dubai for Dubai hospital frontlines/ nurses, doctors, Physical Therapists. He was isolated with his family but all got negative results after 15 days isolation. Vaccine is a must protector to save life.
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (156056)
• United States
10 Feb 22
Cute picture. We are very pro-vaccination and always have been.
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